Thirty and counting for ITF Coca-Cola

Longevity, sustainability and consistency continue to be the trademark of the ITF Junior Coca-Cola Tennis Tournament, under the sponsorship of Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited.

This competition which is now 30 years old has enjoyed a great deal of success over the years attracting players not only throughout the Caribbean but from all over the world. This year over 200 participants are expected to compete when the tournament gets under way at the National Tennis Centre from August 11-18.

During his opening remarks President of the St Lucia Tennis Association (SLTA), Stephen McNamara said: “This tournament enjoys a considerable reputation internationally and regionally. We are always anxious to ensure during these tournaments that nothing occurs on the side of participants or organizers that would tarnish in any way that reputation which has been built up over the last 30 years.”

In thanking Du Boulay’s Bottling Company for their continued sponsorship, McNamara pointed out that the association is aware of the increasing difficulty in these tough economic times to secure sponsorship, and is always looking for ways to reduce sponsorship costs. With that in mind he mentioned transportation assistance being provided by the government. In addition the association is embarking on a program to train officials in St Lucia in order to officiate at tournaments here, which would reduce the added expense of officials coming here.

Managing Director of Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited, Dunstan Du Boulay is proud and delighted that the company has been able to sponsor the tournament for 30 years. As you could imagine having attended numerous opening and closing ceremonies, he found it difficult saying something entirely new at the recent press conference. Nevertheless the story never gets old or stale when he talks about this truly historic tennis tournament.

Du Boulay said: “A lot has happened over the years, a lot of things have evolved in the tennis world and I think it is true to say this tournament has grown and developed from a small casual affair, to a major sporting event on the sporting calendar of the Caribbean. It has also become the premiere junior tennis tournament of the Southern Caribbean.”

Over the years the tournament has grown in stature and spanned the globe. This year is no exception with players from as far away as Taiwan and Russia. Du Boulay pointed out that almost every country in the world has been represented at one time or another at this tournament during the past 30 years.

The Managing Director of Du Boulay’s Bottling Company thanked the St Lucia Tennis Association for their assistance over the years and said “it is a tremendous sense of pride and achievement and I cannot over emphasise how pleased and proud we are to be associated with this tournament and what it has brought to St Lucia, the other islands and to the region at large.”

Sponsorship for this tournament does come with a heavy price tag. It’s important to cut costs without compromising the standard of play. With that in mind Du Boulay applauded the SLTA for taking steps to put things in place to assist with sponsorship.

By the looks of things the ITF Junior Coca-Cola Tournament is here to stay. “We have done it for 30 years and we will endeavour to continue into the future,” said Du Boulay.